Friday, October 26, 2018
Fri-Yay: The Conners Premieres to Praise and Strong Ratings; COZI TV Celebrates The Nanny's 25th Anniversary with Marathon
by Vincent
The Conners made its big debut last week, and it did so to surprisingly strong reviews and ratings that...well, might seem slightly underwhelming, but still comfortably outperformed just about every other network TV show this season. The series bowed to a strong 2.4 in the demo, and in its second week, fell to a 1.7 (all while facing the World Series). Those ratings are definitely smaller than what Roseanne's reboot were doing, but they are still easily ABC's strongest comedy, and even if it falls a bit more, should have no problem seeing a renewal.
So how is the show? Critics seem to be pretty high on it. While I was never a huge Roseanne fan, I appreciate the original series' commitment to serious storytelling that shined a light on tough issues. The Conners seems to be on this path. Killing Roseanne off seems a bit harsh, but doing it due to an opioid addiction (established in the revival season) actually seems like the least obnoxious way to go about it (certainly a lot better than the ridiculous manner Two and a Half Men killed Charlie Sheen's character off.) It allows the show to utilize the dramatic storytelling that worked so well for Roseanne. Another strength is of course, the cast. The cast really gets an opportunity to shine, and Roseanne Barr being absent allows the show to give more screentime to actors like Sara Gilbert and John Goodman, who do a fantastic job in the series.
Of course, it will be interesting to see if interest can sustain itself over the long haul, or whether hype will fade in much the same way it has for Will & Grace (which is performing only marginally now after a strong start.) We'll see if The Conners can keep up its initial hype and goodwill and maintain its quality, but for now, it's one of the more interesting sitcoms to keep an eye on.
While the beloved lead character Fran Fine was always cagey about her true age, there is no denying that this is the year The Nanny turns twenty-five. COZI TV will celebrate this special anniversary on November 3 with an all-day marathon counting down the twenty-five most beloved episodes. Featuring Fran Drescher herself in the on-air packaging and promotion, the marathon begins at 6:30 AM and runs through 7:00 PM. Visit COZITV.com for episode and schedule information and click here to view a promo. Debuting on November 3, 1993, The Nanny ran six seasons with 146 episodes airing between 1993 and 1999. The show catapulted Fran Drescher into global stardom and later became an enduring fan favorite in syndication.
Episodes featured in the Nanny-versary marathon include landmarks like their engagement and wedding, as well as favorites like "My Fair Nanny," where Fran gets an etiquette lesson from Maxwell and butler Niles so she can hold a proper mother-daughter tea with Maxwell's daughter. Also included in the marathon is "Where's the Pearls," when Fran loses guest star Elizabeth Taylor’s pearls and "The Honeymoon's Overboard" in which Fran and Maxwell as they adapt to living on a deserted island after falling off a yacht on their honeymoon. The Nanny is a classic fish out of water tale that follows Queens native Fran Fine, played by Drescher, who finds herself becoming the nanny to three children of a wealthy English widower, Maxwell Sheffield. Plenty of hilarious and heartwarming moments ensue, as Fran adjusts to life with the Sheffield family – and begins a long roller coaster romance with Mr. Sheffield.
The Nanny airs on COZI TV Monday through Friday from 12 AM to 2 AM, and from 10 AM to 11 AM. It also airs Sunday afternoons at 1 PM. The show won an Emmy Award and was nominated for eleven others.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, October 22
Shifting Gears - "Danger" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When a raccoon appears in the Parkers’ yard, Matt sees a chance to teach Carter a lesson about facing his fears. Meanwhile, Riley struggles to navigate the world of dating apps and goes on her first post-divorce date.
Abbott Elementary - "Game Night" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Gregory steps in to host game night at his apartment. Mr. Johnson, Ava, Barbara and Melissa head to the DMV to renew their licenses.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of October 20)
Wednesday, October 22
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear/Girls) - Watch Ebon on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Adam Brody (Nobody Wants This/Burning Love) - Adam appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Emma Stone (The Curse) - Emma is a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Maya Rudolph (Loot/Bless the Harts/Forever/Up All Night) - Maya stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Adam Pally (Mr. Throwback/Indebted/Making History/The Mindy Project/Happy Endings) - Adam appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Allison Janney (Mom/Mr. Sunshine) and Keri Russell (Running Wilde/Daddy's Girls) - Andy Cohen interviews Allison and Keri on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
- Jessica Capshaw (Odd Man Out) - Jessica talks about 9-1-1: Nashville on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
- Edie Falco (Bupkis/Nurse Jackie) - Edie talks about Mayor of Kingstown on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Allison Williams (Girls) - Allison talks about Regretting You on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This/Central Park/The Good Place) - Kristen talks about Nobody Wants This on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 9am hour.
- Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela) - Justine talks about Nobody Wants This on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
- Ernie Hudson (Grace and Frankie/The Last Precinct/Highcliffe Manor) - Ernie talks about his role in the new CBS series Boston Blue on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Angela Kinsey (The Office/The Hotwives of Orlando) - Husband-and-wife cooking duo Angela Kinsey and Josh Snyder share recipes from their cookbook You Can Make This! on Sherri, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive
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